Working towards Significant Cycling Traffic Growth

Hans-Jurgen (Jack) Becker

Director

BCCC

I have been a Director of the BCCC since 2003 and also a Past- President. My direction for this organization is to build it into a financially viable long-term advocacy organization, a strong and influential cycling voice that provides products, services, consulting advice that government, business, organizations, and the public want. I have worked for years on making this province a global destination for cyclotouring. Currently I am the Program Director for CycloTouringBC. I bring to the Board diverse skills from operations to strategies to organizational design. As a cycling advocate of 23 years, I have been a member of bicycle advisory committees for the cities of Vancouver and Toronto, where I was the Public Co-Chair for 5 years. I am also a past-Director of The HUB in Vancouver, Bike to Work BC, and Canada Bikes.

Your membership really helps support our efforts to encourage the Government to invest $1 billion over ten years in safe bike routes around B.C.

A monthly membership through reoccurring payments is $2.50/month. This commitment will help provide more certainty for our campaigns and advocacy efforts. (If you are a new member, you will be eligible to vote at our AGM and receive membership benefits once your totally contributions reach $15).

Why 10 years? Billion dollar bridges and road infrastructure are built in 3 years or less. The Canada Line of $2 billion was built in 3 years. Why not invest $1 billion in cycling in three years and then follow up with additional billion $ investments in cycling. It is time for action not long term political comittments.

Bold Action Now

It is time for bold action now to enable every person, including older adults and children, in BC to cycle or walk safely for their everyday trips and recreation.

Investing $1 billion over ten years in cycling and walking will send a strong message to the world that BC is serious about addressing Climate Change.

Cycling and walking will become attractive choices for everyone, leading to significantly improved fitness and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, congestion, and traffic injuries and fatalities. The paths and protected bike lanes could also be used by people in wheelchairs and other mobile devices.

Cycling is Popular

There is broad public support for cycling improvements. In the B.C. on the Move Engagement Survey, 72% of respondents supported enhancing cycling infrastructure. Cycling is popular. Almost 70% of adults in BC ride a bicycle at least once a year, 42% at least once a month and 25% at least once a week. Many want to cycle more, with around 65% indicating they would ride more if there were separated bike lanes that protected them from traffic.

A Transportation Bargain

On a per dollar basis, we all benefit more from cycling more than other modes. While bike paths and protected bike lanes are a bargain that will benefit far more people per dollar invested than other transportation projects, it does take a significant amount of cash to build networks of them in communities around the Province. For example:

Metro Vancouver: $850 million

Capital Regional District: $275 million

City of Kelowna: $267 million (cycling and walking)

City of Chilliwack: $27 Million

City of Kamloops: $13 Million

At current rates of investment, these plans will take 30, 40 or even 50 years to complete, leaving people to brave busy roads on their bikes or more likely, not bothering to bike at all. Today's children will be grandparents by then.

The Provincial investment combined with local and federal funds will enable the completion of ambitious local and regional plans across BC. For example, the Metro Vancouver Regional Cycling Strategy predicts that upon network build out, cycling will increase to 10% of trips. The CRD Regional Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan predicts cycling network build out cycling mode share will increase to 15%.

Funding Sources

The funding for the $1 billion investment could come from a variety of sources including an increase in the Carbon Tax, predicted budget surpluses, a reallocation of transportation budget, cutting the tax break on those earning over $150,000 or a tax on sugary drinks.

By providing people with practical and safe transportation choices, this investment would decrease the rate of the Carbon Tax required to meet Provincial goals also saving money for those who don't cycle or walk.